France restricts protests to union-led rallies with routes avoiding city centers

France will restrict protest rights to prevent riots, allowing only union-organized demonstrations and offering alternative routes that avoid city centers. President Emmanuel Macron announced the ban on "illegitimate" protests following last Saturday's looting and destruction. Macron made the announcement after meeting with intelligence officials and ministers to assess security failures, and will convene a defense council Friday. He blamed the far-left for the unrest, accusing "ultra-left" groups of "sedition" and seeking to "bring down the Republic." Police forces will increase by 20% compared to October 17, reinforced by Operation Sentinelle soldiers, elite police units, helicopters, and armored vehicles, with security leave canceled. In Paris, a CGT march from Bastille to Nation is authorized, while a yellow vests march to the Opera is banned.